The 501st Legion – Bad Guys Doing Good

The 501st Legion is a global Star Wars costuming organization that raises millions of dollars for good causes; the Tampa Bay Squad, of which he is a member, raised over seven million dollars for charity in 2018 through the events in which they have participated.In this capacity he has organized and managed a large number of high-profile events, such as annual visits to area VA hospitals to thank veterans for their service (above), as well as Star Wars Day at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, which involved appearances on national television; in the photo below members assemble on field for their television appearance.

Other events he has organized include annual “invasions” to All Childrens Hospital; the visit in 2015 was covered by two local news stations and involved almost thirty costumed members (below, members pose for a group picture on the helipad of the hospital; Michael Lyman is in the blue shirt beside R2-D2).

Below is a video of this visit shot by Alyssa Hopkins, guest photographer for Legion hospital visits:

In this fun video, he leads a pair of Imperial Stromtroopers into a Chick-Fil-A to secure lunch:
Other 501st Legion events he has organized and participated in include:

The annual Night At the Museum Halloween event at the Tampa Bay History Center (which involved live TV appearances)

The Dark Sky festival in the town of Harmony, Florida

Weird Al Yankovic concerts

Various parades, such as at Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (below, he leads a contingent of Stormtroopers through the park)

Below: annual “invasions” of All Childrens Hospital to bring smiles to sick children, and the dedicated staff that care for them